Tall Ship Amber Ale
Garrison Brewing Company

Tall Ship Amber AleTall Ship Amber Ale
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From:
Garrison Brewing Company
 
Nova Scotia, Canada
Style:
American Amber / Red Ale
Ranked #399
ABV:
4.6%
Score:
76
Ranked #27,360
Avg:
3.25 | pDev: 12.62%
Reviews:
30
Ratings:
76
Status:
Active
Rated:
Jun 25, 2023
Added:
Sep 07, 2004
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  8
This refreshing premium ale is golden-amber with light maltiness, crisp hop aroma, and smooth, clean finish. Launch into Halifax’s own Tall Ship Amber Ale, and celebrate our rich nautical history.

14 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
 
Rated: 3.25 by atlbravsrno1 from Maine

Jun 25, 2023
 
Rated: 2.74 by Brycezawada from Canada (AB)

Aug 19, 2018
 
Rated: 3.73 by Vylo from New Jersey

Aug 07, 2018
Photo of CanConPhilly
Reviewed by CanConPhilly from Pennsylvania

3.31/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.25
L - 3-finger cloudlike white head atop a translucent yellow body.

S - caramel, pine, orange.

T - follows the nose. Very low bitterness. Moderate sweetness. Low booziness.

F - medium-light body with moderate carb.

O - not a lot of flavor. Zero hops with a ton of malt sweetness.
Jul 14, 2018
 
Rated: 3.48 by Bunman3 from Canada (AB)

Dec 30, 2017
 
Rated: 3.55 by staubot from Canada (MB)

Nov 19, 2017
 
Rated: 3.71 by probert from New York

Nov 18, 2017
 
Rated: 3.43 by papposilenus from New Hampshire

Jul 07, 2017
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Rated by ewpass from Canada (PE)

3.29/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Light amber with moderate head. Light grain nose. Medium bodied with basic malt taste. An average drinkable beer.
Jun 25, 2017
 
Rated: 3.96 by JoshuaCCampbell from Canada (NS)

Dec 27, 2016
 
Rated: 3.73 by 22Blue from Kansas

Oct 16, 2016
 
Rated: 3.51 by DoubleMalt from New York

Sep 20, 2016
 
Rated: 3.55 by Mousel from Canada (ON)

Sep 08, 2016
 
Rated: 3.5 by kuhndog from New York

Jul 10, 2016
Photo of chinchill
Reviewed by chinchill from South Carolina

3.52/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
On tap in Lunenburg.

Appearance: amber body and white head. Some lacing.
Enticing sweet and bready aroma. The flavor partially follows but is mildly bitter and of lower quality.

Mouthfeel: smooth; well carbonated; medium body.

Overall: Solid, clean, well-crafted but rather unexceptional.
May 27, 2016
Photo of Borbly
Reviewed by Borbly from Canada ()

3.54/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Pours a light cuprous body with a frothy white head about half a finger high. The scent is fairly fruity, though in all quite weak. The taste is fairly odd, and quite floral, though altogether okay. It has a decent mouthfeel as well, though carbonation could be better. Altogether an alright ale.
Feb 06, 2016
 
Rated: 3.59 by btg95 from Canada (ON)

Dec 25, 2015
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Reviewed by biegaman from Canada (ON)

3.38/5  rDev +4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Tall Ship is far too golden to be sold as an amber ale. I realize that many pale ales aren't actually all that pale but this clear, beaming, daisy yellow beer has hardly a drop of orange, nevermind red colour. Its loose-fitted head and dainty bubbles give it the air of a pilsner.

The raw graininess in the aroma is also reminiscent of a European lager (and, it must be said, not one of outstanding quality). While there's certainly no adjuncts or off-notes there's also not a trace of toasty, nutty, or caramelly maltiness either. And hops? Ha, forget about it!

While light, familiar and agreeable, one has to ignore what's written on the label in order to truly enjoy Tall Ship. Once we get past the fact that it isn't actually an amber ale, then there's fairly little to quibble about (at least from a low-standard, mainstream beer drinker's point of view).

What distinguishes the good from the bad in this category isn't depth - pale, light-bodied thirst-quenchers like this are plain by design - but rather the quality of ingredients. When a recipe leans so heavily on a no-frills, thin-as-rail grain bill the caliber of the raw material is extremely important.

As is process. An unadorned flavour profile allows zero room for error. Barleywines and Imperial Stouts have layers of alcohol and complexity to hide behind; pale ales do not (especially those trying to be like popular commercial brands which are made with industry-best equipment and quality control).

There are good and bad examples of ordinary, unexciting beers. And while simple golden lagers and ales have fallen out of favour with craft drinkers, they undoubtedly still have a time and place. There's a market for Tall Ship, and there always will be. What's more enjoyable than a simple beer well chilled?
Oct 23, 2015
 
Rated: 3.5 by DannyBaldoni from Canada (QC)

Oct 10, 2015
 
Rated: 3.4 by dwoolley1 from New York

Sep 24, 2015
Tall Ship Amber Ale from Garrison Brewing Company
Beer rating: 76 out of 100 with 76 ratings